Locking ski clamp

ABSTRACT

A clamp is provided for locking together the curved tips of skis for the purpose of discouraging theft. A pair of outside clamp plates clamps the two skis securely on opposite sides of a center plate, the parts being fastened in clamped position by a padlock. By clamping together the curved end portions, bottom to bottom, the main flat portions of the two skis are disposed at a wide angle to each other making an awkard and very conspicuous bundle which a thief cannot carry away unnoticed. If the back ends of the skis are deeply embedded in a snow bank at such an angle to each other, the application of the clamp to the upstanding front ends makes the skis impossible to remove from the snow and carry away without first digging them out of the snow. By securing the ski pole straps in the clamp, a tripod is formed for standing the skis and poles on the ground or on a floor.

Unite States Patent 1191 Frey 111 3,753,359 [451 Aug. 21, 1973 LOCKINGSKI CLAMP [76] Inventor: Max Frey, 3940 S.W. Altadena Ave.,

Portland, Oreg. 97201 [22] Filed: Oct. 22, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 191,755

[52] U.S. Cl. 70/19, 24/73 SG, 24/81 SK,

70/58, 70/232, 280/1 1.37 A [51] Int. Cl. A63c 11/00, EOSb 73/00 [58]Field of Search 70/18, 19, 58,232;

280/ll.13 T, 11.37 A, 11.37 C, 11.37 E, 11.37 K, 11.37 R; 24/73 SG, 81SK [56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 108,704 10/1943618,637 3/1927 489,149 12/1952 869,255 4/1971 Canada 70/58 PrimaryExaminer-Albert G. Craig, Jr. Attorney-Lee R. Schermerhorn [5 7 ABSTRACTA clamp is provided for locking together the curved tips of skis for thepurpose of discouraging theft. A pair of outside clamp plates clamps thetwo skis securely on opposite sides of a center plate, the parts beingfastened in clamped position by a padlock. By clamping together thecurved end portions, bottom to bottom,

the main flat portions of the two skis are disposed at a 1 wide angle toeach other making an awkard and very conspicuous bundle which a thiefcannot carry away unnoticed. 1f the back ends of the skis are deeplyembedded in a snow bank at such an angle to each other, the applicationof the clamp to the upstanding front ends makes the skis impossible toremove from the snow and carry away without first digging them out ofthe snow. By securing the ski pole straps in the clamp, a tripod isformed for standing the skis and poles on the ground or on a floor.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU M19 2 l 7 SHEEI- 1 [If 2 INVENTORMAX FREY BY flfiorney LOCKING SKI CLAMP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a clamp for clamping a pair of skis together indivergent positions so a to discourage theft.

The theft of expensive skis presents a serious problem at ski resortswhere large numbers of skiers congregate Skis are so long and cumbersometo carry that they are ordinarily not carried along with the user whenhe goes indoors from time to time to seek warmth or obtain food. Whenthe skis are left outside during such intervals of non-use, they presentan irresistible attraction to thieves. Heretofore, the only way toprevent such theft has been for the user to carry the skis along withhim at all times or lock them inside his automobile, both of whichexpedients are extremely inconvenient.

Objects of the invention are, therefore, 'to provide a clamp forclamping and locking a pair of skis securely together, to provide aclamp for clamping the curved tips together bottom to bottom so that theskis will be divergent from each other at a wide angle, making anawkward and conspicuous bundle for a thief to carry, to provide alocking clamp which will hold a pair of skis securely embedded in a snowbank in inverted V configuration, and to provide a clamp for both skisand ski poles securing them together in such a way as to form a tripodwhich will stand on the ground or on a floor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device comprises a pair of outer clampplates arranged to clamp the curved end portions of a pair of skisbottom to bottom on opposite sides of a center plate with the skisextending at a wide divergent angle relative to each other. The partsare locked in clamped position. This presents a very awkward andconspicuous bundle for a thief to carry, making it impossible for him tocarry the skis away unnoticed.

If the back ends of the skis are embedded in a snow bank with the frontends inclined toward each other bottom to bottom before the clamp isapplied, they cannot be removed without digging them out of the snow. Ifthe straps of the ski poles are looped into the clamp, a tripod isformed which will stand in stable position on the ground or on a floor.Two embodiments of the locking device are disclosed having the featuresdescribed.

The invention will be better understood and the foregoing and otherobjects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of the preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Various changes may be made in the details of construction andarrangement of parts and certain features may be used without others.All such modifications within the scope of the appended claims areincluded in the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view withparts broken away, showing a first form of locking clamp embodying thefeatures of the invention applied to a pair of skis shown in brokenlines;

FIG. 2 is a view on the line 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view on the line 33 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows how the ski poles may be included in the clamp to form atripod;

FIG. 5 shows how the skis may be locked together while embedded in thesnow;

FIG. 6 shows how the skis may be clamped together in nested relationshipand locked to a cable;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a modification;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the clamp in FIG. 7 showing the clamp inpartially open position in broken lines; and

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the clamp showing all the parts in openposition.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment,designated generally at 9, is illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6. As viewed inFIG. 2, the device comprises, essentially, a lower clamp plate 10, acenter plate 11 and an uppper outside clamp plate 12. The lower andupper clamp plates clamp a pair of skis S on opposite sides of thecenter plate 11. The center plate may be omitted but it is preferred toclamp the skis against a center plate rather than against each other.

In order to avoid marring the skis and provide more secure clampingaction, the clamping surface of each lower and upper clamp plate 10 and12 is covered with a layer of rubber or plastic 13 and a pair of plasticcovered metal strips 14 is crimped on opposite edges of center plate 11.These resilient pads tightly engage the surfaces of the skis and applyclamping pressure to the skis as best shown in FIG. 3, preventing theskis from being forcibly removed. 1

The three plates 10, 11 and 12 are apertured to receive a pair of bolts15 equipped with wing nuts 16. The distance between the bolts 15 ispreferably less than the width of the main portions of the skis wherebythe application of the clamp is limited to the curved and tapered frontends which are of less width than the main, flat portions of the skis.Thus, when the skis are disposed bottom to bottom and wing nuts 16 aretightened, the main portions of the skis will diverge downwardly fromeach other at a wide angle in inverted V configuration as shown.Ifdesired, however, the bolts 15 may be spaced apart sufficiently toadmit the wider flat portions of the skis in other clampedrelationships.

In tightening the wing nuts 16, care is taken to align them lengthwiseofplate 10. A channel-shaped lock bar 20 is pivotally connected to one endof plate 10 by a pin 21 in the flanges of the channel. The wing nuts 16are at least partially contained within the channel of the lock bar 26when the latter is closed thereby preventing turning of the wing nuts.The wing nuts may extend partially into longitudinal slots 22 and 23 inthe web portion of lock bar 20, which slots likewise prevent rotation ofthe wing nuts.

In applying the clamp to the skis, lock bar 20 is pivoted to openposition as shown in broken lines in FIG. 2, allowing the wing nuts 16to be tightened, compressing the resilient pads 13 and 14. When lock bar20 is closed to its solid line position, its side flanges overlieopposite sides of plate 10 as shown. Clamp plate 12 is of L-shape havingan annular end 25 arranged to project through slot 22. This projectingend is apertured at 26 to receive a padlock 27 which prevents openinglock bar 20. Lock bar 20 is a form of hasp. Other types of lock may alsobe employed.

. 20 over the wing nuts 16 so that they cannot be rotated whereby theskis cannot be removed from the clamp. As shown in FIG. 2 the straps 30on ski poles P may be looped over the end 25 of clamp plate 12 in orderto secure the ski poles as well as the skis. Also, the clamps on severalpairs of skis may be locked together by a loop of steel cable 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ski poles may be arranged to form the third legof a tripod for standing the skis and poles upright on the ground or ona floor.

FIG. 5 shows how the clamp 9 may be utilized to prevent removal of theskis from a snow bank 35. If the back ends of the skis are pushed intothe snow at divergent angles as shown and the clamp applied to thecurved front ends as above described, it is impossible to remove theskis without first shovelling away the snow. Having done this, the thiefwould still have to carry the skis in the widely divergent relationshipshown, making him quite conspicuous. Also, in this relationship it wouldbe difficult to conceal the skis inside of a passenger automobile or tocarry them on the car top.

FIG. 6 shows another arrangement for safeguarding the skis. In this casethe clamp 9 is applied with the skis in nested position and the end 25of clamp plate 12 is hooked over a steel cable 36 before the padlock 27is applied. The opposite ends of cable 36 are anchored to a pair ofposts or trees 37. With this compact arrangement of the skis, a largenumber may be locked to a single cable 36 provided for the purpose.

A modified form of construction is embodied in the clamp 40 in FIGS. 7to 9. As viewed in FIG. 8, this clamp has a lower outside clamp plate41, a center plate 42 and an upper outside clamp plate 43. Here, again,the center plate 42 may be omitted but it is preferred to provide thismeans to separate and grip the skis. The upper and lower clamp platesare equipped with the rubber or plastic strips 13 and the center clampplate is equipped with crimped plastic covered metal plates 14 as abovedescribed. The clamp 40 further includes a lock bar 45 and all of theseparts are secured together in assembled relationship by a pair of linksmade in the form of spring wire loops 46 and 47.

A pair of adjusting screws 50 and 51 are threadedly mounted in tappedholes in opposite ends of upper clamp plate 43. A plate 52 is fixedlymounted in a slot in the upper end of screw 50 by a pin 49, this platehaving a hole at 53 forming a bearing for one end of the wire loop 46.The opposite end of wire loop 46 is received in a bearing formed by ahole 54 in one end of lower clamp plate 41. The two legs of wire loop 46extend slidably through holes at 55 in the corresponding end of centerplate 42. The opposite ends of plate 42 are equipped with stop pins 56adjacent the wire loops 46 and 47.

One end of lock bar 45 is pivotally connected to the head of adjustingscrew 51 by a pin 59. Above and slightly to the right of pin 59 is aslot 60 to receive the upper end of wire loop 47. The lower end of wireloop 47 is contained in a bearing formed by a hole 61 in the end oflower clamp 41. The opposite legs of wire loop 47 extend through notches62 in the corresponding end of center plate 42.

The central portion of lock bar 45 is spaced above upper clamp plate 43to receive the ski pole straps 30 and a steel cable 31. The freeswinging end portion of 4 lock bar 45 contains a U-shaped bend 65 whichis longitudinally slotted at'66 to receive the plate 52. The end portionof plate 52 which enters slot 66 contains an opening 67 to receive thepadlock 27 which prevents opening the lock bar. Lock bar 45 is a form ofhasp. Other types of lock may also be employed.

Screws 50 and 51 are adjusted to provide a tight clamping action on theskis which are to be clamped, compressing the resilient pads 13 and 14.These screws provide a wide range of adjustment to accommodate skis ofdifferent thickness as indicated by the broken line position of upperclamp plate 43 in FIG. 8.

Starting with the upper parts in fully open position as shown in FIG. 9,the clamp is closed by swinging wire loop 46, center plate 42 and lowerclamp plate 41 clockwise about hole 53 as a pivot to positions under theupper clamp plate 43, and the lock bar 45 is raised to upright positionas shown in broken lines in FIG. 8. Then, with the skis in position onopposite sides of center plate 42, the free end of wire loop 47 isengaged in the slot and lock bar 45 is swung down to its solid lineposition so that it may be secured by the padlock 27. A lock bar 45 isrotated clockwise, the upper end of wire loop 47 is swung to overcenterposition relative to pivot pin 59. This clamp has the same versatilityas described in connection with FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 with reference to thefirst embodiment.

The advantage of the modification in FIGS. 7 to 9 is its quick andconvenient clamp and release action. The parts are placed in tightclamping position by merely engaging wire loop 47 in slot 60 andswinging lock bar 45 into position to receive the padlock withouttightening any clamp screws after they have once been adjusted to theskis. The clamping 40 is released by merely taking off the padlock andraising lock bar 45 to disengage wire loop 47 from the slot 60 withoutunscrewing any clamp nuts. Otherwise, the clamping action is essentiallythe same as in the first embodiment. When clamp screws 50 and 51 areproperly adjusted, the resilient pads 13 and 14 prevent forcible removalof the skis.

It will be observed that screws 50 and 51 can be rotated only when theclamp is fully open as shown in FIG. 9. The engagement of plate 52 inslot 66 of lock bar 45 prevents rotation of both screws.

I claim: a

1. A ski clamp comprising a pair of plates arranged to clamp a pair ofskis together, resilient ski-engaging pads on said plates, adjustablescrew means operable on said plates to apply clamping pressure againstthe skis, a lock bar arranged to prevent adjustment of said screw means,and locking means arranged to secure said lock bar in operativeposition, said adjustable screw means comprising a pair of screws in oneof said plates, a pair of links connected with the other plates andadjustable by said screws, said lock bar being pivotally mounted on oneof said screws and engageable with the other screw to prevent rotationof both screws.

2. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 including a center plate havingresilient ski engaging pads on its opposite faces.

3. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said locking means including apadlock.

4. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said lock bar comprising a hasp.

5. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said clamp having an open space toreceive and lock ski pole straps or a cable to the clamp.

6. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, one of said links havingdetachable engagement with said lock bar adjacent said one screw and theother link being pivotally connected to said other screw.

7. A ski clamp as defined in claim 6, said lock bar having a slotreceiving said one link.

8. A ski clamp as defined in claim 6, said links comprising spring wireloops.

9. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 applied to the upturned front endportion of a pair of skis with the skis disposed bottom to bottom insaid clamp with their rear ends in widely divergent V configuration.

10. A ski clamping arrangement as defined in claim 9 including a pair ofski poles having strap loops secured in said clamp, said skis formingtwo legs of a tripod and said ski poles forming the third leg.

11. A ski clamp comprising a first clamp plate having a pair of boltholes adjacent its ends, a second clamp plates having a pair of boltholes aligned with said bolt holes in said first clamp plate, a pair ofbolts in said holes, wing nuts on said bolts arranged to bear againstsaid first clamp plate to clamp a pair of skis between said clampplates, a channel-shaped lock bar pivotally mounted at one end on oneend of said first clamp plate, the opposite end of said lock barprojecting beyond the opposite end of said first clamp plate, a pair ofslots in said lock bar to receive said wing nuts and prevent rotationthereof on said bolts, one of said slots extending into said projectingend of the lock bar, and an L-shaped end on said second clamp platearranged to pass beyond said opposite end of said first clamp plate andproject through said one slot, said L-shaped end being apertured toreceive a padlock and said locking bar forming a hasp to lock saidclamp. I i I.

1. A ski clamp comprising a pair of plates arranged to clamp a pair ofskis together, resilient ski-engaging pads on said plates, adjustablescrew means operable on said plates to apply clamping pressure againstthe skis, a lock bar arranged to prevent adjustment of said screw means,and locking means arranged to secure said lock bar in operativeposition, said adjustable screw means comprising a pair of screws in oneof said plates, a pair of links connected with the other plates andadjustable by said screws, said lock bar being pivotally mounted on oneof said screws and engageable with the other screw to prevent rotationof both screws.
 2. A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 including a centerplate having resilient ski engaging pads on its opposite faces.
 3. A skiclamp as defined in claim 1, said locking means including a padlock. 4.A ski clamp as defined in claim 1, said lock bar comprising a hasp.
 5. Aski clamp as defined in claim 1, said clamp having an open space toreceive and lock ski pole straps or a cable to the clamp.
 6. A ski clampas defined in claim 1, one of said links having detachable engagementwith said lock bar adjacent said one screw and the other link beingpivotally connected to said other screw.
 7. A ski clamp as defined inclaim 6, said lock bar having a slot receiving said one link.
 8. A skiclamp as defined in claim 6, said links comprising spring wire loops. 9.A ski clamp as defined in claim 1 applied to the upturned front endportion of a pair of skis with the skis disposed bottom to bottom insaid clamp with their rear ends in widely divergent V configuration. 10.A ski clamping arrangement as defined in claim 9 including a pair of skipoles having strap loops secured in said clamp, said skis forming twolegs of a tripod and said ski poles forming the third leg.
 11. A skiclamp comprising a first clamp plate having a pair of bolt holesadjacent its ends, a second clamp plates having a pair of bolt holesaligned with said bolt holes in said first clamp plate, a pair of boltsin said holes, wing nuts on said bolts arranged to bear against saidfirst clamp plate to clamp a pair of skis between said clamp plates, achannel-shaped lock bar pivotally mounted at one end on one end of saidfirst clamp plate, the opposite end of said lock bar projecting beyondthe opposite end of said first claMp plate, a pair of slots in said lockbar to receive said wing nuts and prevent rotation thereof on saidbolts, one of said slots extending into said projecting end of the lockbar, and an L-shaped end on said second clamp plate arranged to passbeyond said opposite end of said first clamp plate and project throughsaid one slot, said L-shaped end being apertured to receive a padlockand said locking bar forming a hasp to lock said clamp.